Why You Should Get Involved in Sports, Not Just the Gym

**Today’s guest post is courtesy of Lizzie. This week I played a few games of indoor soccer and I must admit, I LOVED it! Maybe I’ll join a team just for fun! ****

Medical news is big these days. It seems that every time we turn on the television or radio the reporters are reminding us about some health care crisis. Issues with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity followed by instructions about eating right and being more active are so prevalent.

It’s true that the news can make some of us feel anxious and helpless, but it can also inspire us to get in shape and take better care of ourselves. If this is you, consider getting involved in indoor sports.

Indoor sports, sometimes called intramurals, are a great way to get up and get moving whether you’ve played for years or are just getting started. And there are so many different varieties of sports to choose from these days for both men and women, and sometimes even children.

Some of the more common indoor sports include:

Volleyball

Basketball

Netball

Pickleball

American Football

Hockey

Lacrosse

Cricket

Cycling

Futsal

Soccer

And many, many more!

No matter which sport you choose, all of them will benefit you in numerous ways. Here are nine great reasons indoor sports are worth joining.

1. Improve Overall Health and Decrease Cost

The number one reason you should get involved in indoor sports is to improve your health. Getting off the couch and moving your body is essential to improving your overall fitness and promoting good habits (not to mention potentially adding years to your life).

Being involved in an organized activity will strengthen your muscles and bones, improve your cardiovascular system, lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reduce arthritis flare-ups, and boost your immune system. Plus, repeated studies have shown that regular activity can also lower your healthcare cost, which is a real bonus in today’s economy. Taking good physical care of yourself will help you stay out of the doctor’s office and allow you more time to do what you love to do.

2. Develop New Skills

Trying a new sport will sharpen your existing skills while helping you develop new ones. Moving your body in new ways and directions enhances kinaesthetic awareness (muscle memory and an awareness of the position of your joints) and your overall sense of balance, which may help prevent you from injury due to falling.

Sports, especially those involving balls, also enhance hand-eye coordination, giving you a sharper eye in fast-moving situations. And some studies have shown that learning new skills aid in keeping our minds more alert and may stave off mental disabilities associated with aging.

3. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

Even if you’re not a curious sort of person or have a sense of adventure, trying something new is a great way to shake you out of your usual routine or a rut, both of which are common causes of stress, negativity, and depression.

Joining an indoor sport team will help you get out of your comfort zone and break that cycle of gloom. It will give you a more positive attitude, open your eyes to new possibilities, and give you something to look forward to every week. Trying something new will work wonders on your overall mental well-being.

4. Psychological Boost

Speaking of mental well-being, indoor sports will also give you a psychological boost by improving the way your brain responds to active physical movement. Any time you engage in an activity, the hypothalamus part of your brain and the pituitary gland release dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin, which are the hormones that make you feel naturally happy and satisfied. They are the reasons some runners experience a “runner’s high.” Indoor sports will help you release these hormones and give you a more positive outlook on life.

5. Reduce Stress

Hormones released through playing sports will not only make you feel happier, you will also have a greater ability to handle everyday stress. Physical activity helps you to release pent-up frustrations and anxiety in a way that other methods cannot. You think more clearly throughout the day, have a greater sense of calmness, sleep better, and respond to minor nuisances with more patience.

Stress is a common contributor to high blood pressure and immunosuppression diseases. Consider adding sports to your weekly schedule to head this off.

6. Release Your Inner Competitor in a Healthy, Safe Way

Participating in sports is a healthy and safe way to release adrenaline and unleash your inner competitor. Your aggressive moves will help you play to your best ability, and you might help your team have the winning edge. Feel free to let your inner athlete shine through as you discover your innate abilities. Of course, always be sure to practice good sportsmanship and a forgiving attitude so that you’ll be the kind of player everyone wants to have on their team.

7. No Weather Worries

Playing indoors has the advantage of never being weather-dependent. Rain or shine, heat or cold, snow or ice, none of it has any effect on your game or practice time so there’s never a possibility of delays or cancellations. There’s also never a concern about how to dress for a certain temperature or weather condition or how the environment will affect your health if you’re battling a cold or seasonal allergies.

Indoor sports facilities are climate controlled with adequate ventilation and properly maintained equipment. Facilities with a true focus on customer care will also take the time to clean and sanitize all areas. Playing indoors is a safe, comfortable, and dry alternative to playing outside, especially during certain inclimate times of the year.

8. Safer for Your Feet

Playing sports outside can sometimes be hard on your feet. Certain areas of the playing field may be very hard, which results in your feet repeatedly pounding the ground in possibly injurious ways. Other areas may be wet and slippery causing you to potentially fall. If you already have foot problems, an outdoor field may negatively add to your condition.

Indoor sports facilities often have floors that provide cushion and bounce so your feet take less abuse while you play. The materials used are specially designed to provide maximum movement and comfort while reducing shock and any long-term effects to your body.

Regardless of the condition of your feet, always be sure to have the proper footwear for any sport you play. There are many styles and features you should consider before you choose the best shoe. If soccer is your sport, then you know how important it is to have good shoes. If you’re unsure about which shoe is best for you or what features you should look for, Footwear Ox has put together a great review of both men’s and women’s indoor soccer shoes for you to consider whether you’re already on a team or considering signing up.

Get Active With Indoor Sports

Playing sports indoors is a great way to meet others in your community, develop important mental and physical skills, and improve your overall health. No matter if you’re new to the game or not, take a look at what your local indoor facility offers and go sign up. You’ll be so glad you did.

Comments

I firmly believe that sports has an edge over a gym. Participating in any sports provides a competitive spirit, oneness with yourself and nature, a sense of camaraderie..which I think are very important.Pregnant Eve´s last blog post ..Leg Cramps During Pregnancy: Causes & Home Remedies

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